Say Hello to the New Xbox 360 Slim [Archive]

Jason Dunn

06-15-2010, 12:38 AM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/slim-xbox-360-gets-official-at-299-shipping-today-looks-angul/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/...ay-looks-angul/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"At first we were doubtful that a edgy box appearing in a little Flash ad from Italy last night could be legit, but Microsoft just got real with the new Xbox 360 Elite. It'll launch today priced for $299, while the old Elite will stick around for $249 and the Arcade will drop to $149."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1276544641.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>While we don't cover gaming here on Digital Home Thoughts, the Xbox 360 has many digital home features, so this is worth taking notice of. I'll be ordering one as soon as they're available. Why? Noise - or, more accurately, the lack thereof. The new Xbox 360 is described as "whisper quiet" by Microsoft, and assuming that independent reviewers back up that claim, I'll snap one up. I find it extremely irritating how loud my Xbox 360 Elite is - and one of the reasons I bought it was that I'd heard the newer HDMI models were quieter than the first-generation Xbox 360's...which was absolutely not the case. Other perks on the new 360 include a 250 GB hard drive, 802.11n WiFi, and a smaller physical size - which, surprisingly, they were still able to achieve with <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">an integrated power supply</span> a power brick that's smaller than the current version.</p><p>Would I liked to have seen a version with Blu-ray? Yes, absolutely - but I can understand Microsoft's reluctance to add to the cost - they've been able to add all this new functionality into the product while keeping the $299 price point the same. That's impressive, and adding a Blu-ray drive would drive up the cost - and put money into the pocket of Sony, their main rival in the console wars. I'm particularly excited about <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/13/microsoft-kinect-revealed-project-natal-finally-gets-a-name/" target="_blank">Kinect</a>, the product formerly known as Natal - though I find it curious Microsoft didn't mention the price point of it.</p><p>Engadget also has their <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/xbox-360-250gb-first-unboxing/" target="_blank">unboxing and first thoughts</a> on the new console. A few snaps from the video after the break; Engadget also has a <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/the-new-xbox-360-kinect-port-up-close/" target="_blank">close-up of the back</a>. <MORE /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1276557842.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1276557866.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1276557875.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1276557885.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p>

Jason Dunn

06-15-2010, 02:31 AM

Some further info courtesy of one Mr. Darius Wey:

* There's currently only one version of the new Xbox 360 (that is, no Arcade, Pro, Elite, etc.)>>
* Current Arcade units drop to $149. Current Elite units drop to $249.>>
* Microsoft will eventually sell the new Xbox 360 and Kinect as a bundle.>>
* The new Xbox 360 has more ports on the rear than the original. Some notable inclusions include HDMI out and digital audio out.>>
* The HDD is detachable. There's a hidden door at the bottom of the unit which pops off to reveal a removable HDD.>><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CJASOND%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CJASOND%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CJASOND%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style>

Felix Torres

06-15-2010, 03:38 AM

On the software side they demo'ed movie playback via voice commands and a new "Kinect Hub" gui module that looks very much like WinMo7, which is appropriate because (at long last!) the XBOX is getting Zune Pass support. Also, Netflix is getting full PC-less support.

Oh, and they signed up ESPN. Exclusive.

The new XBOX has a special port for connecting the Kinect sensor box which means there will be two versions of Kinect; the one for the older 360s has an external Power Supply of its own.

Darius Wey

06-15-2010, 05:53 AM

The new Xbox 360 has more ports on the rear than the original. Some notable inclusions include HDMI out and digital audio out.

Also of note, 5 x USB (three at the rear, two at the front) and a self-powered Kinect port.

And then as already mentioned, HDMI-out and digital audio-out, alongside Ethernet, standard A/V port, and power.

Stinger

06-15-2010, 10:39 AM

I'm very tempted to upgrade my release day console.

The idea of an integrated power supply appeals to me greatly. :)

Darius Wey

06-15-2010, 11:43 AM

The idea of an integrated power supply appeals to me greatly. :)

I think there may be a bit of confusion here. Just to clarify:

The new Xbox 360 still requires and includes a power brick, albeit a smaller one.
Microsoft says the new Xbox 360 is Kinect-ready. This means it powers the Kinect, so all you have to do is connect the two and you're good to go.
If you have an older Xbox 360, you will need a separate power supply for Kinect. This is included with every Kinect sold.

Stinger

06-15-2010, 01:33 PM

I think there may be a bit of confusion here.

D'oh! Oh well, it can't be any larger than the one on the original Xbox 360 and I'm still tempted to upgrade.

Jeff Campbell

06-15-2010, 05:14 PM

This is great, saw the short video of this on my XBox 360 last night, I'll be ordering one of these as well! Perfect timing as my home box is on it's last leg...they must have known... ;)

Jason Dunn

06-15-2010, 07:03 PM

Pre-ordered one from Best Buy today along with Gears of War 3. :D

Chris Baxter

06-15-2010, 08:29 PM

I see one of these in my near future. The smaller size, less noise, and better Kinect interface all appeal to me. Plus I am hoping that these are better built, I have had the unfortunate experience of going through hell with my 360s to date. I am on my fourth Elite, and I keep an Arcade as a backup just in case.

Jason Dunn

06-15-2010, 09:34 PM

...I have had the unfortunate experience of going through hell with my 360s to date. I am on my fourth Elite, and I keep an Arcade as a backup just in case.

Ouch! You have some BAD luck there...my original November 2005 Xbox 360 is still running great, though now owned by a friend.

mrozema

06-15-2010, 10:58 PM

Amazon.com apparently listed the Kinect at $149.99 for a short time on their website.

I hope it goes for less than that. I had enough trouble paying $100 for their steering wheel.

Jason Dunn

06-15-2010, 11:00 PM

Amazon.com apparently listed the Kinect at $149.99 for a short time on their website.

Yeah, I hope it's less than that as well...but Microsoft thus far has shown that they like to make a profit on their accessories, so $149 sounds more right than $99. $99 would sure allow them to sell more...$149 would be OK if it came with a came or two...

mrozema

06-15-2010, 11:44 PM

True. Accessories is where most of the money is made in this industry. It would have to absolutely blow my mind before I thought of buying one though.

Jason Dunn

06-16-2010, 12:12 AM

And here's what I've been waiting for:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/new-xbox-360-guide-microsofts-slim-console-explained/

"The new buttons, which we'll talk about in a moment, left us wondering sometimes whether or not the unit was on or off. That we were having such a problem says something about how much quieter this new design is. With the old Xbox 360, you always knew exactly when it turned on -- even if you were in another room you could feel the vibrations from that DVD-ROM spinning up. The new 360 model is far, far quieter. The drive still hums a bit and there is certainly some fan noise to be discerned, but overall it's a huge improvement to even the more recent, more muted 360 models."

Yes!! :D

crimsonsky

06-16-2010, 07:35 PM

I'm choosing one of these instead of getting a new Mac Mini. Please forgive me for the drool! :D

mrozema

06-16-2010, 07:41 PM

It's quieter?! YES!!!

Oh so tempting! :D

Jason Dunn

06-16-2010, 08:03 PM

I'm choosing one of these instead of getting a new Mac Mini. Please forgive me for the drool! :D

Good call! :D

randalllewis

06-17-2010, 09:29 PM

The timing of the new XBox, the Kinect, and the birth of my grandson are converging to put a game machine on my technology purchase list for the year. I play one or two games a year, and always solo, and my high end PCs have always been good enough for me.

But I really like the looks of the new XBox, I am fascinated by the Kinect and its potential and my grandson will soon be old enough to play with Kinectimals. That game is the killer ap for me. Plus I like to stream my music to the audio system and I hope the XBox will be more reliable at that task than my TiVO (now sold) was.